Windows 11 ARM64 Hotpatching: Revolutionizing Reboot-Free Updates in Enterprises

Windows 11 has steadily advanced its enterprise capabilities with each successive update, and with the 24H2 release, Microsoft has brought one of its most sought-after features—hotpatching—to ARM64 devices. This move significantly expands the reach of reboot-free updates, once limited to x64 architecture, and signals Microsoft's ongoing commitment to parity between device ecosystems. As organizations increasingly evaluate ARM64 platforms for power efficiency and modern Windows experiences, the availability of advanced update technologies like hotpatching will weigh heavily in those decisions.

What Is Hotpatching and Why Does It Matter?​

At its core, hotpatching allows critical security and quality updates to apply to the Windows operating system instantly, modifying portions of the system code directly in memory. Unlike traditional servicing, which replaces or updates files on disk and typically mandates a system restart to load the latest code, hotpatching intercepts and modifies runtime instructions on the fly. This results in updates taking effect without the need for disruptive reboots—delivering a smoother user experience and improved operational uptime.
For enterprises, this represents more than a convenience; reboot-free patching means fewer interruptions for users, reduced off-hours servicing windows for IT teams, and less risk of “patch fatigue” from the repeated cycle of updates and restarts. Especially for mission-critical endpoints—like call center terminals, retail point-of-sale devices, or remote workstations—minimizing downtime can have a direct business impact.

Evolution of Hotpatching: From Servers to ARM64 Devices​

Microsoft first debuted hotpatching for Windows Server in 2022, targeting the most uptime-sensitive environments. This technology matured rapidly, and by April 2025, Microsoft had announced the general availability of hotpatching for Windows 11 on x64 devices powered by Intel and AMD processors. Since then, adoption has grown rapidly, with “millions of devices and thousands of customers” receiving zero-disruption updates during each hotpatch release month, according to Microsoft’s official statements.
Hotpatching’s journey to ARM64 represents a critical expansion. As devices powered by Qualcomm and other ARM partners enter enterprise deployments—valued for their long battery life, instant-on capability, and fanless designs—having seamless update management is pivotal. Windows 11 version 24H2, specifically build 26100.2033 or later, is now the baseline for enabling hotpatching on ARM64, bringing the same modern update flow already trusted on x64 to a broader hardware ecosystem.

How Does Hotpatching Work Technically?​

The innovative mechanism at the heart of hotpatching involves modifying specific functions or instructions while the OS continues to run. The update applies to the code loaded in memory, bypassing the need to overwrite files on disk or require a system restart to load patched components. The initial application of a hotpatch package targets precise areas of the codebase, ensuring maximum stability and backward compatibility.
A critical advantage is that hotpatches are smaller than standard cumulative updates, as they contain only the changed instructions required to patch vulnerabilities or apply fixes. This leads to faster deployment times, reduced network impact, and less complexity in update management. Integration with established management solutions such as Microsoft Intune and Windows Autopatch ensures that administrators can deploy policies and monitor compliance centrally.
Importantly, while most hotpatch updates avoid restarts, the system architecture mandates an occasional “baseline” update—typically once every three months. This baseline update performs a standard system reboot, re-aligning the running codebase with the installed disk images to ensure long-term integrity. Between these baseline cycles, two months of hotpatches can be deployed without restarts. Occasionally, some updates—due to their depth or functional nature—may still require a system reboot, a fact Microsoft openly notes in its communications.

Key Benefits: Speed, Efficiency, and Security​

The introduction of hotpatching to Windows 11 ARM64 isn’t merely a technical milestone; it substantially alters the risk and workload calculus for IT teams. Consider the following benefits, now available natively on ARM64:

• Faster Adoption of Critical Updates: By eliminating forced restarts for most update cycles, organizations can ensure patch compliance without waiting for user downtime windows or risking non-compliance due to delayed rebooting.
• Significantly Reduced Downtime: With most updates being applied in-memory, users avoid the inconvenience and potential work disruption associated with reboots.
• Smaller, More Manageable Packages: Monthly hotpatch releases are lighter than traditional updates, expediting installation and reducing network congestion, especially valuable in bandwidth-constrained or remote scenarios.
• Centralized Management: Hotpatch policies can be defined, assigned, and enforced via Microsoft Intune, with detailed compliance reporting, enabling enterprise-grade control over update experiences.
• Consistency Across Architectures: Enterprises deploying mixed x64 and ARM64 fleets benefit from the same patching processes and tools, streamlining operational procedures and training.

According to Microsoft’s own feedback channels, “overwhelmingly positive feedback highlights the strong confidence in the value [hotpatching] delivers,” with customer adoption seeing steady, steep growth since its April 2025 debut on x64.

Prerequisites: What You Need for Hotpatching on ARM64​

Enabling hotpatching on ARM64 is not as simple as toggling a switch—it requires careful alignment of device, policy, and licensing prerequisites. Here are the essentials:

OS Version and Build​

Devices must be running Windows 11 Enterprise version 24H2 (build 26100.2033 or later). Earlier releases, or editions outside Enterprise, will not support the hotpatching feature set as of this writing.

Device Management and Configuration​

• Microsoft Intune Enrollment: All eligible devices must be enrolled in Intune, Microsoft’s device and endpoint management platform. Hotpatching is enabled and orchestrated through Intune policy configuration.
• Update Policy: A “hotpatch-enabled update policy” must be created and targeted at the ARM64 device group(s) in question.
• Licensing Requirements: One of the following is required: Windows 11 Enterprise E3/E5, Microsoft 365 F3, Windows 11 Education A3/A5, Microsoft 365 Business Premium, or Windows 365 Enterprise. Devices not covered by these licenses remain ineligible.
• Security Settings: Virtualization-Based Security (VBS) must be enabled on the target PCs, and for ARM64 specifically, Compiled Hybrid PE (CHPE) must be disabled. These settings are fundamental for maintaining integrity and security during live code modification.

Admin teams should conduct a readiness audit before deploying hotpatching broadly, ensuring compliance with all prerequisites. Failure to meet licensing or configuration requirements may result in update errors or unsupported scenarios.

How IT Administrators Enroll and Manage Hotpatching​

Microsoft has streamlined the enrollment and management process for hotpatching on ARM64 via the Intune admin center. The steps are straightforward but require administrative permissions and familiarity with Intune’s policy structure:

• Navigate to Devices: Open the Microsoft Intune admin center and go to Devices > Windows updates > Quality updates.
• Create or Edit a Policy: Select "Create Windows quality update policy" to make a new policy. Alternatively, select an existing policy to modify.
• Configure Hotpatch Settings: Within the policy, locate the setting “When available, apply without restarting the device” and set this option to “Allow.”
• Assign to Device Groups: Deploy the configured policy to dedicated ARM64 device groups for granular control and phased rollout.

Once configured, administrative teams benefit from Intune’s compliance monitoring and reporting, allowing visibility into the patch status and baseline schedule adherence of every managed device.

The Hotpatch Release Cadence: What to Expect​

Microsoft releases hotpatches for eligible Windows 11 devices on a monthly basis. Most of these updates apply quickly, in the background, without downtimes. However, the hotpatching model does require periodic system-wide restarts for a "baseline" update, typically occurring once every three months. These baselines help reset the update framework and ensure complete alignment between the running code and system files on disk.

• Month 1: Baseline update (reboot required).
• Months 2–3: Hotpatches (no reboot required for most updates).

There may be rare exceptions when an interim update, due to unavoidable code dependencies or the need for low-level adjustments, will still require a system restart. Microsoft commits to minimizing these exceptions and providing clear advance notice wherever possible.

Security and Stability: A Delicate Balance​

Hotpatching, by its nature, introduces modifications directly into a live operating system memory space—a process traditionally fraught with risk. Microsoft’s engineering approach to hotpatching employs rigorous validation, targeted patch injection, and extensive compatibility testing before each release. Internal escalation channels and fast-rolling back mechanisms further guard against rare but possible regressions.
Despite these controls, organizations considering hotpatching—especially in high-compliance sectors—should recognize that hotpatching is not a substitute for periodic full reboots, which allow the OS to reload all drivers, services, and memory structures cleanly. The quarterly baseline cycle, enforced by Microsoft, is critical not just for patch coverage but also for maintaining kernel and driver stability over time.
For the most security-sensitive deployments, policy may dictate more frequent reboots or independent validation of hotpatch reliability. It’s important to weigh the operational convenience of hotpatching against the ongoing need for comprehensive, stable system states—particularly as low-level drivers or third-party security tools may occasionally interact unpredictably with in-memory patches.

Critical Analysis: Strengths and Caveats​

Notable Strengths​

• Minimized Disruption: The primary advantage of hotpatching is, indisputably, the reduction in service interruptions. For knowledge workers, call centers, retail endpoints, and environments with high uptime requirements, this is transformative.
• Operational Efficiency: Smaller patches mean faster deployments, less network stress, and more efficient endpoint management. Intune integration further lowers the administrative burden and streamlines compliance efforts.
• Security Posture: By accelerating patch adoption, hotpatching helps organizations close vulnerability windows more swiftly—a critical consideration amid rising zero-day threats and regulatory scrutiny.
• Platform Parity: Extending feature parity to ARM64 makes the choice of processor architecture more of a business or technical preference and less an operational compromise.

Areas for Caution​

• Baseline Reboots Remain Necessary: No solution offers truly restart-free updates indefinitely. Organizations must still plan for regular baseline cycles—typically every three months—when a reboot is mandated. Any claim of “reboot-free patching” must be understood as “for the majority of updates, not all.”
• Licensing and Configuration Overhead: The need for specific licensing tiers and security configuration (like VBS and CHPE settings) creates a barrier to entry for some users, especially those running Pro or Home editions, or lacking Microsoft 365 enterprise licensing.
• Potential for Edge-case Instability: While hotpatching undergoes thorough validation, certain updates—especially those deeply intertwined with the kernel or critical drivers—may present rare stability issues. Organizations running legacy hardware, custom drivers, or advanced security tooling should engage in robust pre-deployment validation.
• Limited History on ARM64: As hotpatching on ARM64 is new as of Windows 11 24H2, large-scale production experience is limited. Early adopters should monitor feedback from Microsoft and peer organizations closely, and consider staged rollouts to manage unforeseen challenges.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Windows Maintenance​

The debut of hotpatching for Windows 11 ARM64 devices signifies Microsoft’s holistic approach to modern OS management. As ARM64 continues to gain relevance, particularly with improvements in performance and the growing ecosystem of Windows on ARM hardware, simultaneous feature advancement for all architectures is crucial.
Hotpatching’s success will ultimately be measured not just by technical feasibility, but by the tangible improvements it delivers in productivity, security, and administrative simplicity. Early indicators—based on feedback from industry pilots and Microsoft’s telemetry—suggest a promising trajectory.
However, IT leaders must balance the operational agility hotpatching offers against the ongoing and immutable need for occasional reboots to preserve long-term stability and security hygiene. The ideal endpoint strategy will pair hotpatching with disciplined baseline update cycles, consistent policy enforcement, and continuous monitoring for update quality or regressions.

Conclusion: A Step Forward, With Eyes Wide Open​

Microsoft’s extension of hotpatching to Windows 11 ARM64 devices in version 24H2 is a milestone for both operational excellence and architectural inclusivity. It reduces the friction of staying secure, empowers IT teams to move faster, and offers organizations greater confidence in adopting next-generation Windows devices, regardless of chipmaker. The shift to in-memory, reboot-free updating could mark a sea change in how businesses approach patch management—if they deploy it thoughtfully, with full awareness of its strengths and boundaries.
For organizations leveraging ARM64 hardware, or contemplating such a migration, hotpatching expands the toolkit for seamless Windows maintenance and positions ARM-based PCs as fully-fledged members of the enterprise ecosystem. Yet, as with all new technologies, prudent evaluation and staged adoption—guided by the latest real-world experience—remain the best path to long-term success.

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Source: Petri IT Knowledgebase Hotpatching Now Available on Windows 11 ARM64 Devices